Noticed a smell of antifreeze around my 1999 chevrolet malibu. Looked and found the intake manifold gasket was leaking antifreeze. This car is driven by my wife, and thankfully has not left her beside of the road. Will replace the gaskets on my own, will have the old parts available. Found a lot of people with the same problem. And if no problem why did gm redesign the gasket (part # 89017279). Why also is there a service bulletin on this dated march 2003 ( # 03-06-01-010). Why has a recall not been started. This problem could start a fire in the engine bay, and a whole list of other things.
1999 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 143, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I had frequent loss of coolant, and drips on my driveway surface. Upon taking to dealer I was informed that intake gasket leaking. Also I was told brakes were almost gone. At 53,000 miles this seemed excessive on both counts. The replacement of the intake gasket was about $700.00. Replacing the pads and turning rotors cost $250.00. This makes the 3rd set of pads, and resurfacing of the second set of rotors since I bought the car new. Shortly after the repairs the ABS light started coming on whenever making a turn. Brought the car into the dealer in may and was told that the front wheel bearing assy needed to be replaced. I was also told that this occurance had nothing to do with the recent brake job, even though there were no problems until I had the brake job done at their recommendation. The dealer, while acknowleding no blame paid 50% of the repair leaving me with a $200.00 bill. In little more that 30 days I have spent $1200 on critical part repairs for a well maintained car with only 53000 miles.
1 - brake failure at 15,000 miles; replaced brakes 4 times after dealer and manufacturer (chevrolet) failed to repair; I purchased 3 calipers, 4 rotors and many brake pads at costs of $1,000. 2 - gas guage sending unit failed after 60,000 miles; could not determine proper fuel level; purchased and replaced unit at cost of $325. 3 - intake manifold failed at 45,000 miles; vehicle experienced severe overheating; dealer charged $700 to perform valve job after charging $700 to replace intake manifold; 4 - battery failed after 25,000 miles; positive post fell out of battery; purchased replacement and did not have vehicle towed to dealer because I was in california from texas on a trip - costs $70 .
Intake manifold gasket leak. Replacement costing $613.00.
Intake gasket was leaking coolant, and the engine was running hot. Consumer had to check it everyday. Also, had to add coolant.
Coolant leak from the intake manifold gaskets and related parts.
Consumer stated that anti-freeze was leaking in vehicle for about 3-4 months. Consumer was told that there was a recall for the same problem. Consumer has not yet taken vehicle to a mechanic, but will do so soon.
Consumer complained about two defects. Front brakes were wearing out prematurely. The brakes and rotors were replaced 4 times in less than 20,000 miles. Also, the intake manifold was leaking into the crankcase and onto the motor. *ak
Intake manifold gasket failing at 50,000 miles.
On 8/20/2001 at 46,208 miles on my 1999 chev. Malibu, coolant began to leak from the lower intake manifold gasket. Dealership replaced gaskets under gmpp extended warranty. Now on 3/12/04 at 75,600 miles, the replaced gaskets are leaking. After the first repair, I discovered that the original factory gaskets along with dex-cool coolant were defective. At the first repair, still defective gaskets were used to make the repair. After this first repair, gm released a newly redesigned gasket and procedure to address this issue. I feel that there needs to be a recall on the issue due to the number of consumers who are experiencing this same trouble. This could become a safety issue should the gaskets completely fail and allow coolant to mix with the oil. This would cause engine failure while driving, possible resulting in a crash.
Plastic lower intake manifold gasket replaced under warranty @ 28,000 miles, and it needs to be done again @ 78,000 miles for a cost of $800.00.
Overheat, purchase of numerous gallons of coolant. Brought to dealer 8 times over a 2 year period, was told nothing wrong when warranty in place. Warranty ran out, problem of gasket fixed. Car still overheats if sits for more than 10 minutes.
36000 miles plus....ever since I purchased the car. Was searching the web and found this site so I decided to add my two cents worth about my malibu. Replaced front brakes (drivers side 3 times - due to caliper) and rotor twice. Engine gasket problem - overheating. Still have problem with fan motor control settings 1 and 2. Engine misfiring - had injectors cleaned twice and replaced entire ignition system. Have a rattle in the front for the last 20000 miles. Car has failed to start around 8 times. Engine has died multiple times after starting and sometimes while in motion. Abs light and brake light problem. Theft system light occassionally lights up. Looking forward to a class action suit. Would rather settle for an admission by chevrolet/gm and compensation for some replacement parts and labor. This is the worst gm product I've ever owned and due to the other complaints I've read on the internet, this volume of complaints is way to high.
Vehicle had catalytic converter and alternator go out completely within 10k of each other. Once the cat had gone bad, it caused the valve seals on the engine to need to be replaced along with the intake manifold gasket, a $1300 job not covered by extended warranty. Also have had break pad problems with them wearing unevenly. The vehicle was at a chevrolet dealer for almost a week before they guessed the problem-no one actually looked at my engine to verify that the seals needed to be replaced, I was so annoyed with waiting for a diagnosis, I had another mechanic complete the work and replace the cat. These problems also resulted in a midnight tow two hours away from home since my car would not start, taking more time and money out of my hectic schedule.
Air controls switch back & forth from fresh to recirculate. Car has refused to start twice & antitheft system activated. Intake manifold leak upper and lower. I had the gasket replaced and gm canada paid for the labor and I paid for the parts, approx $180 canadian. I believe there was 78000 km (48,000 miles) on the car at the time. Seatbelts are slow to retract. Clunking noise in front end, they can't identify or fix. Recall on rotors caused pads to fail.
Theft light comes on and car will not start. Wait 10-15 minutes car starts fine. Problem happens about 2-3 times a month. Problem has happened when weather is sunny and hot and in perfect weather and also when it has been raining.
Air conditioning - electrical failure, would flicker on and off. Engine - head gasket, faulty. Was replaced. Power window - regulator and motor faulty, the window just stop rolling up and down, did not show signs of faiure till it happened. In shop right now, not covered under manufacturer warranty. Other - cooling system, uses the infamous dex-cool coolant. The engine gets hot every time I drive it. Hot meaning two bars above middle. It usually resides in the middle. The radiator cap has been replaced twice and the head gasket was also suspected of being a problem related to this. The problem still exists and is going to the dealer tomorrow for another inspection. The worst time it occurred was after the head gasket had been replaced. The vehicle ran fine for two months. We took it on vacation to lake powell when the problems occurred again. The engine started to get hot. I turned off the A/C and turned on the heat. This was able to get the engine driveable without causing damage to it. My worry is that this will happen to my wife on the freeway or driving home to see her parents. Had this occurred the first time with just her in the car she would not have known what to do and would have been stranded.
The intake manifold gasket fails. The dexcool coolant leaked into the oil. The bearings on the gasket are damaged. I was told that I really need a new engine, but that I could try replacing the gasket, but there are no guarantee that will work. I understand this is a common problem for most gm cars from that time frame and starting around 40,000 and that gm has even made a new part finding the original deficient.
3/18/03 - malibu is diagnosed with an intake manifold gasket failure. The vehicle was losing coolant, but there was never any signs of leakage on the driveway. An independant shop diagnosed the problem. A little research on the internet revealed that very many other gm owners were experiencing the same problem. We attempted to get assistance in paying for the repair from gm, but they refused. The design of the gasket system combined with dexcool coolant appears to be faulty. We also have a cronic problem with the braking system on this vehicle. About every 12000 miles the brakes need to be replaced, the rotors are warped and the pads are bad. So far, gm is picking up all those costs because the problem was reported while it was still under warranty. Through the internet we also discovered that many malibu owners have the same problem.
Air conditioning control problems dealer insisted nothing wrong never repaired tires; worn out at 16000 dealer insisted that that was normal fought to get them to replace only 2 tires engine: intake manifold gasket went out never experienced the problem in all the cars I ever owned 978.00 later. Engine 3 months later presently engine has serious internal engine rattle, lose of power don't know what is wrong yet there was no indication of problem oil was clean no temp problem just blew last week towed to the house brakes; had to change both front calipers could not re use them needed new ones when doing brake job would never buy a chevy product ever again!!!!
Coolant system failure. This "5 year" coolant gm uses does not last 5 years. This 1999 vehicle developed a leak, overheated, and blew a lifter. The engine is ruined at 78,000 miles!
Lower intake manifold gasket leaking
I myself, had to have my intake manifold gasket replaced in my 1999 chevrolet malibu. It was recalled on certain VIN numbers, but not mine. A friend of mine also owns this same make and model of the chevrolet malibu and she is currently having to have the same problem fixed. I am experiences several problems with my vehicle that I saw on a recall list for a particular set of vins. I find this to be a bit strange that I am currently having these manufacture defects, as well as others that own this make and model of this vehicle, and they are only recalling a select few. It seems strange that 3 people I know experience the same problems with this vehicle, yet, there is no recall on them.
Engine cooling light went on, and vehicle began to overheat. The intake manifold gasket was defective and leaked into the engine, causing white smoke to appear from the exhaust.
Intake manifold gasket was defective-causing problems with stalling and ignition among others. Car has stalled three times while in motion. Chevy cannot replicate the problem. Left me sit twice because it would not restart-eventually would restart after engine cooled. Still runs terrible after some type of maintanence was completed on the car which chevy believes would fix the problem. Has become an unreliable car and I am fearful of driving it due to the ignition stalling problems. Chevy not really helpful in dealing with the situation.
Ltr re defective 1999 chevrolet malibu coolant system, requesting reimbursement for repairs and a recall investigation.*mr the intake gaskets and the water pump had to be replaced it cost the consumer almost $2000.00 for repairs. *cb also the brake pads were replaced.
Gm 3.1 litre v6 intake gasket leak at appox.60,000 miles and again at 85,000 miles.
Engine coolant leaking.
Consumer complained about an anti-lock brake problem. The transmission was also performing poorly and the ignition switch required a little jiggling before it ignited. The intake gasket leaked and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle became inoperative.
1999 chevrolet malibu's engine is leaking antifreeze. *mr *scc
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